Although Indians have begun to eat with knives and forks on many formal occasions, they are still used to eating with their hands in private. "Grabbing rice with hands" is a long-standing dining custom of Indians. They wash their hands before eating, and then prepare for dinner. If you visit an Indian home, you must try the fun of "grabbing rice by hand". It is precisely because of this habit that most Indian dishes are made into paste, so that it is convenient to eat with your hands holding cakes or rice.
Put a big plate in front of everyone, put rice on it, pour vegetables and soup on it, then mix it with your hands, pinch it into a ball, and then put it into your mouth. In street snack stalls, snack bars and temples, people usually use a plate made of dry leaves to hold food. Some restaurants give everyone a piece of fresh tree leaves to hold rice and other food, which is very environmentally friendly.
1. Indians believe that a lot of pleasure in eating comes from touch
Indians believe that a lot of pleasure in eating comes from touch. Knives, forks and chopsticks prevent this feeling, so they block the unique pleasure. More importantly, grabbing rice by hand can know the temperature of food in advance and avoid burning your tongue or mouth.
Most Indians only use three fingers to grab food, that is, thumb, index finger and middle finger. They first press the three fingers straight on the edge of the cake into a three pronged shape, and then the middle finger bends the force to hold the cake. The thumb and index finger tear off a small piece of the cake together. Then the three fingers work together to wrap the vegetables with the cake, just like eating Beijing roast duck. Finally, they pinch the food at the entrance, and the pinch action is like clamping something with pliers.
2. You must use your right hand to eat with your hands
There is also a rule for Indians to eat. No matter adults or children, they must eat with their right hand. When handing food and tableware to others, they have to use their right hand. This is because people think that the right hand is clean and the left hand is dirty. This has something to do with another Indian habit. After going to the toilet, Indians do not use toilet paper to wipe, but wash with water. When washing, they use their left hand instead of their right hand.
Besides bread, the staple food of Indians is rice. When eating rice, first use the three fingers to stir the rice and various vegetable soups evenly, just like the mixer mixing cement, and then pick up a small pile and send it to the entrance. Some people's fingers are not very sharp, so they go to battle with five fingers together. After eating the rice, put the greasy fingers into your mouth one by one to suck, and lick them thoroughly before you stop.
When eating in restaurants or Indian homes, when they are almost finished, the owner often brings everyone a small bowl of warm water with a piece of lemon floating on it. This water must not be drunk. It is used to wash hands. After dinner, a plate of green wheat like spices will be served for everyone to chew, so as to eliminate the peculiar smell in the mouth.
3. Traditional eating customs
Many westerners find it difficult to eat with their fingers. Some Westerners feel that direct contact with food is a symbol of backwardness; How disgusting; Some people think that this is a hygienic way to eat, because it will drive you to pay more attention to the hygiene of your fingers. You will wash your hands thoroughly before eating until you think they are clean.
Some people may think that eating in India is indecent, but it should be understood that it is just a habit like eating with chopsticks and knives and forks. There is no distinction between elegance and vulgarity.
Because of the hot climate here, and generally like to eat curry (Indian curry is the first in the world), raw onion and so on, this kind of food has good sterilization ability. In the long run, they formed the habit of drinking raw water. Even when you arrive at a big hotel, you should first give the guests a cup of raw water. Ordinary people, especially Westerners, feel that they are too unsanitary. However, the Indian people, like the human beings in the era of drinking blood from the hair, have adapted to the environment. In addition, they often eat curry and onion, so they can have strong resistance.